Master of Divinity

The seminary and theology school at Huron is proud to welcome you into our midst. Whether you are seeking personal development, ministry skills for ordination, or an opportunity to engage in critical study and research, the faculty and staff will accommodate your need.

Our programs are continually monitored, evaluated and improved so that we can offer you the very best in education and formation.Students at Huron begin their studies with a wide variety of experiences. What all members of the community have in common is the desire to know God more deeply, to serve others, to grow intellectually and mature spiritually. You would be welcomed into our community of prayer and study with the hope that, in a very short time, you might call us home.

The Quick Facts

three-year, post-baccalaureate, professional undergraduate degree preparing women and men for ordination

taken full- or part-time; however, the maximum duration of the degree is six years

granted by The University of Western Ontario

recognized by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada for the training of ordinands; however, we are pleased that students come to Huron from a variety of denominations--community life at the College is enhanced by ecumenical relationships

What Will I Gain?

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As an M.Div. student, you will acquire:

Knowledge of the Bible and its interpretation using contemporary methods of criticism

Understanding of Christian doctrines and the historical, methodological and philosophical approaches to the study of theology

Cultural sensitivity and awareness for living in an ecumenical and multi-faith context

Admission Requirements

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You may apply if you hold a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university. A limited number of competitive, discretionary admissions may be available for those without a bachelor's degree (contact the Faculty for details). Occasional January part-time admission is possible. Contact the Faculty for information.

Deadline for application is May 30 for September entry (enquire at the Faculty if that date has passed).

Taking Courses Only (Not the Degree), Letter of Permission, and Special Student

You may take courses without being in a degree stream in the following ways when you already hold a university degree:

Special Students & Letter of Permission (Visiting) Students:

Special Students already hold a university degree & wish to take course(s), for audit or credit, without being in a degree program.

Letter of Permission students are visiting students from another university.

Arrange for an original academic transcript of your previous university degree to be sent to Huron (if a UWO degree, this may not be necessary).

Visiting/Letter of Permission students arrange to have a Letter of Permission from their university sent to the Faculty of Theology.

Due Date for Applications for Special Student or Letter of Permission status: August 1 for September starts and December 1 for January starts (Call the Faculty of Theology office (519-438-7224, ext. 289) directly if this deadline has passed, for further information).

Non-Registered Students

If you do not already hold a Bachelor's degree, you can contact the Faculty of Theology office regarding the possibility of sitting in on courses in the Faculty. You will not be an official Western/Huron student, no records will be kept, audit fees will be charged.

Arrange for an original academic transcript of your previous university degree to be sent to Huron (if a UWO degree, this may not be necessary).

Visiting/Letter of Permission students arrange to have a Letter of Permission from their university sent to the Faculty of Theology

Due Date for Applications for Special Student or Letter of Permission status: August 1 for September starts and December 1 for January starts (Call the Faculty of Theology office (519-438-7224, ext. 289) directly if this deadline has passed, for further information).

MDiv Degree Synopsis/Course Requirements

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Complete the following 30 half-courses over three years (full-time or part-time equivalent). Normal full-time enrolment is 5 half-courses per term, 10 half-courses per year. The total program of study for the MDiv shall not extend beyond 6 years.

From Area I: Biblical Studies--Old Testament, New Testament, and related studies

Biblical Studies 5110a/b, 5116a/b, and 5120a/b

One of Hebrew 5040a/b or Greek 5103a/b

One half-course in New Testament from Area I, Biblical Studies

One half-course in Hebrew Bible from Area 1, Biblical Studies

One half-course from Area I, Biblical Studies, including Greek, or Hebrew

(Those who began the degree prior to September 2014 may substitute Biblical Studies 5112a/b and 5114a/b for 5120a/b and the half-course elective in Hebrew Bible)

From Area III: Historical Studies--Studies in Church History, History of Christian Thought, and other historical studies of Christianity, the Christian tradition

Area IV: Public Leadership and Ministry Studies--Studies in the work of the church, in particular conducting liturgy and preaching, and of the various forms of ministry, pastoral care and public leadership

Homiletics 5204a/b and Homiletics 5305a

Liturgics 5204a/b and 1 other Liturgics course (Candidates for ordination in Anglican Church of Canada take Liturgics 5301a/b)

Transcultural Learning Experience

What Might My First-Year Courses Look Like?

First Term (Fall) Biblical Studies 5110a
Heb. 5040a or Greek 5103a
Systematic Theology 5103a
Church History 5104a
Field Education 5110a

Second Term (Winter) Biblical Studies 5120b (before September 2014, replace with RS 2420b or 5112b)
Biblical Studies 5116b
Theological Ethics 5203b
Church History 5106b
elective or other required course

Full-time vs. Part-time:

Once you are registered for 7 half-courses over the school year, you are considered a full-time student, although the normal full-time load is 10 half-courses.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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You will find a variety of opportunities for financial assistance, from bursaries, to scholarships, employment, OSAP, and prizes and awards. In addition, the Faculty of Theology offers bursaries/financial aid each year to qualified applicants in the MDiv degree.

Accreditation & Statement of Institutional Effectiveness

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Accreditation

The School is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The Commission contact information is:

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275
USA
Telephone: 412/788.6505; Fax: 412.788.6510;
Website: www.ats.edu

The following degree programs are approved by the Commission on Accrediting: MDiv, MTS, MA (Theology).

Student complaints in areas related to the accrediting standards of the Commission should be directed to the Dean of Theology. A record of such formal student complaints is maintained in the Office of the Dean.

Statement of Educational Effectiveness

In a changing church and world, completing a degree program at the Faculty of Theology is no guarantee of employment. Recent graduates of our MDiv degree program have found full- or part-time employment in parish ministry after graduation, serve the church in other fashions, and go on to further studies; Half of the recent graduates from our MTS program have gone on to further studies; graduates of our MA in theology program have been accepted into doctoral programs in theology or other graduate programs, are using their MA to teach at the secondary and post-secondary level, or are pursuing other careers that benefit from the research skills and knowledge gained as a result of completing the degree program.

Master of Divinity
Average time to graduation: 3.2 years
Average at graduation (2012-2014): 81.9%
Ratio of admissions/applications (2011-2014) 85%
Ratio of registrations/applications (2011-2014) 74%
Post-graduation occupation of graduates (2012-2014): ordained ministry: 57%; 22% further studies; 21% other

Master of Theological Studies
Average time to graduation: 3.4 years
Average at graduation (2012-2014): 79.7%
Ratio of admissions/applications (2011-2014) 89%
Ratio of registrations/applications (2011-2014) 66%
Post-graduation occupation of graduates (2012-2014): Further studies, 50%; 50% other/retired

Mission of the Faculty of Theology

As a graduate and professional faculty of Theology in the Anglican tradition, our mission is to educate, form, and empower leaders to serve God, the church, the university, and the world--faithfully, critically, and imaginatively.